Inside the building, work is being completed from the top down. On the third floor, office, lab, and classroom walls are being painted, and lights, ceilings and floors will be finished over the next month. Then, lab benches, furniture, and casework will be installed. It will be the same story for the first and second floors.

As Gordon Leversee, dean of sciences, explains, "That only leaves a few weeks to set up and shake down the building before classes begin in August. It will be a busy time, but we are looking forward to it."

Four artists have been selected as finalists for the major artwork that will grace the south corridor wall outside the lecture hall.

The lobby will be the hub of the building, where visitors will be able to view several kiosks and a large plasma screen array to get information about the operation of the building, output of solar panels, and activities and programs.

The Windows into Science, Portals to the World campaign has passed the $2 million mark, thanks to leadership gifts from C&S Wholesale Grocers ($1 million), the Markem Corporation/Putnam family ($500,000) and other generous donors.